Color match predictability system and method

Abstract

A color match predictability system having a color sample, a predictability guide with sections having varying degrees of halftones, a spectrophotometer, and a computer with input and output devices. A light is directed at the color sample and then passed into the spectrophotometer where its color spectrum is analyzed, converted into data, and fed to the computer. A colorant formulation is calculated by the computer for the original color sample and for a series of modified samples including different halftone sections superimposed on the original color sample. The quality of the color match for the various formulations is analyzed to determine the formulation having the best possible color match. The modified sample having the best color match may be viewed by the user to predict the color of the final product.

I claim: 
     
       1. A color matching system for determining a colorant formulation comprising: means for analyzing a color sample to determine its color spectrum;   means for determining from said spectrum a color match formulation from a set of predetermined colorants;   means for determining a quality index related to the quality of the match of said formulation; and   means for modifying said color sample a plurality of predetermined measured amounts.   
     
     
       2. A color matching system according to claim 1 wherein said means for modifying said color sample includes a partially transparent overlay superimposed over said color sample. 
     
     
       3. A color matching system according to claim 2 wherein said partially transparent overlay includes a plurality of areas of varying degrees of color modifying sections. 
     
     
       4. A color matching system according to claim 3 wherein said color modifying sections include halftone sections. 
     
     
       5. A color predictability guide for use in a color matching system comprising: a color sample;   a partially transparent sheet; and   a plurality of sections on said sheet having means for modifying said color sample, wherein said means for modifying includes halftone sections on said sheet.   
     
     
       6. A color predictability guide for use in a color matching system comprising: a color sample;   a partially transparent sheet;   a plurality of sections on said sheet having means for modifying said color sample, wherein said means for modifying includes halftone sections on said sheet; and   said halftone sections having a plurality of predetermined varying degrees of tone.   
     
     
       7. A color predictability guide for use in a color matching system comprising: a color sample;   a partially transparent sheet;   a plurality of sections on said sheet having means for modifying sid color sample, wherein said means for modifying includes halftone sections on said sheet; and   said halftone sections having a plurality of predetermined varying degrees of tone, and said halftone sections are aligned in rows and columns of progressively greater halftones.   
     
     
       8. A color matching method for determining a colorant formulation from a predetermined set of colorants comprising: (a) analyzing a color sample to determine its spectrum;   (b) generating a colorant formulation to produce a color match based on said last-mentioned spectrum;   (c) generating a quality index related to said formulation;   (d) modifying said color sample a predetermined amount to produce a modified sample;   (e) analyzing said modified sample to determine its spectrum; and   (f) repeating steps (b)-(e) and modifying said color sample in step (d) a different amount for each cycle, whereby the formulation having the best quality index may be determined and the corresponding modified color sample may be viewed.   
     
     
       9. A method according to claim 8 wherein step (d) includes placing a partially transparent overlay over said sample. 
     
     
       10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said partially transparent overlay includes a plurality of areas of varying degrees of modification. 
     
     
       11. A method according to claim 9 wherein said overlay includes a plurality of halftone sections.